EV charging advancements
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EV Chargers) has evolved significantly over the past decade. This evolution is driven in part by the growing demand form EV owners for increased range and the advancements in vehicle battery technology. Another key factor is the need for charging convenience - whether at home, work, shopping malls or on route at public charging stations. The speed of charging during travel, combined with the emergence of larger industrial EV's, has likely contributed the most to the shift towards manufacturing higher-power chargers. Initially, public chargers were rated at 50kW and 500V with single lead charging. Today, public chargers are expected to offer at least 400kW and up to 980V. In the near future, e-ferries and heavy electric vehicles will require Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS) capable of delivering up to 3.75 megawatts at 1,200V.
Innovation in EVSE technology
Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment manufacturers rely heavily on vehicle manufacturers for innovation in technology development. Without this collaboration, the industry risks falling in total discord.
CharIN is a global organisation dedicated to establishing standards in the EV charging industry and developing technology to meet future charging requirements.
Ten years ago, electric vehicles primarily consisted of small passenger cars designed for short-distance travel. Current certification standards under development include the aforementioned MCS (Megawatt Charging System) for e-ferries, e-trucks, and electric aircraft, which are already deployed in New Zealand.
Further advancement in EV technology have been inspired by the ABB Formula E racing championship. Technologies developed for racing cars from manufacturers such as McLaren, Jaguar, Nissan, and Porsche (to name a few) often become the standards for general production vehicles in the future.
Driving sustainable transport
Local organisations such as Drive Electric, EECA, and many others, play a pivotal role in helping New Zealanders adopt EV's and contribute to achieving the country's climate change targets. These organisations actively support and advocate for the shift to renewable transportation.
New Zealand government is actively promoting the transition to renewable transport in the industrial sector through its Low Emission Transport Fund. We provide expert consultation to support a comprehensive funding application and help secure co-funding for your project.
Conclusion
It's taken nearly a century to establish the infrastructure to fuel internal combustion engine vehicles in New Zealand.
Since the first public EV chargers were installed in 2015, the country has seen the installation of 1249 public charge points, and 1178 public charge units. In 2025, additional funding has been allocated for the installation of 341 high-speed, on-route EV chargers. I believe New Zealand has exceeded expectations for charger deployment relative to the number of EVs on the road. Join the EVolution today!